Big-Screen Extreme Makeovers

In Tropic Thunder, Robert Downey Jr. plays a white actor who undergoes surgery to play a black Vietnam-era Army sergeant. Downey perfectly satirizes the attention-getting narcissism of extreme movie transformations, a few of which we've listed here.
Photo by: Dreamworks

Eric Stoltz, Mask (1985)To play Rocky Dennis, a boy born with the face-disfiguring disease lionitis, Stoltz spent three-and-a-half hours in makeup. He reportedly had to later reintroduce himself to cast members who hadn't seen him without his makeup on.
Photo by: Universal/Everett Collection

Nicole Kidman, The Hours (2002)Donning a prosthetic nose to play reclusive author Virginia Woolf, Kidman was virtually unrecognizable in the role. Her acting, however, didn't go unnoticed, as Kidman earned the Best Actress Oscar for her performance.
Photo by: Paramount Pictures

Christian Bale, The Machinist (2004)To play an eerily thin insomniac, Bale lost 60 pounds over four months by limiting himself to an apple and a cup of coffee a day. He reportedly wanted to lose another 20 pounds, but producers stopped him.
Photo by: Paramount Classics/Everett Collection

Gwyneth Paltrow, Shallow Hal (2001)Paltrow decked herself out in a fat suit for many of her scenes in this romantic comedy, which featured her as both Jack Black's obese object of desire as well as the thin version of her he sees in his mind's eye.
Photo by: 20thCentFox/Everett Collection

George Clooney, Syriana (2005)Though not as drastic as the 60 pounds gained by Robert DeNiro for Raging Bull, Clooney's extra 35 pounds were still startling. He got an Oscar, but it also caused an spinal injury that required surgery. That's dedication!
Photo by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Robin Williams, Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)Williams has rarely been afraid to do anything for comedy, including spending four-and-a-half hours in makeup each day to perfect the look of an elderly nanny.
Photo by: 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection

Hilary Swank, Boys Don't Cry (1999)To prepare for her Oscar-winning role as a transgendered teen boy, Swank lived as a man for a month, cutting her shoulder-length hair, taping down her chest with tension bandages and stuffing her pants with socks.
Photo by: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Tom Hanks, Cast Away (2000)Production of the film was divided into two parts, separated by an an entire year in order to give Hanks time to lose 50 pounds and to grow a scruffy beard for the scenes that take place four years after being stranded.
Photo by: Dreamworks

Eddie Murphy, The Nutty Professor II (2000)Murphy's an innovator of movie transformations, playing multiple characters in several of his films. We just wish all of his attempts were a little more Coming to America, a little less Norbit.
Photo by: Universal Pictures

Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There (2007)Disappearing into roles is a Blanchett trademark. Of all the cross-dressing on this list, Blanchett's is the most natural. In addition to hair and makeup, she stuffed a sock down her pants to replicate a man's gait.
Photo by: The Weinstein Company

Bill Nighy, Pirates of the Caribbean (2006)So what if squid-faced Davy Jones was 99 percent CGI Nighy only needed his eyes and voice to bring the vivd animation to life.
Photo by: Walt Disney/Everett Collection

The Wayans Brothers, White Chicks (2004)To become (disturbing) Hilton-like debutantes, the actor brothers required a seven-person makeup team. Ultimately, five hours of makeup each day and a combination of foam latex, body paint and wigs did the trick.
Photo by: Columbia Pictures